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https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/788779693700968448 https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/788779693700968448 "#MarsExpress recording of @ESA_EDM des

https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/788779693700968448 https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/788779693700968448 "#MarsExpress recording of @ESA_EDM descent is now processed and is being analysed by experts at #ESOC #ExoMars" ...then... https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/788780512089432064 https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/788780512089432064 "ACQUISITION OF ORBITER SIGNAL! #ESOC hears @ESA_TGO's signal loud & clear after it emerges from behind #Mars #ExoMars" Also a photo of some very happy space people. Edit: another tweet saying they'll need around 2 hours of data to confirm that they've reached orbit, confirmation at 20:30 CEST (https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/788781863687036928 https://twitter.com/esaoperations/status/788781863687036928). Space is somewhat of an emotional rollercoaster.

kevinbowman 10y ago
Note that the lander is Schiaparelli, TGO (Trace Gas Orbiter) is just the "mothership" which it uplinks to; TGO achieving orbit, though, is still a special achievement.
- david-given 10y ago
  TGO is the actual mission. The lander's just a technology demo --- important for the next ExoMars mission rover, but it was only going to last a few days anyway. Schiaparelli being lost is a 'well, go figure' moment; TGO being lost is an utter disaster. Unfortunately landers are sexy, while science-rich orbiting probes aren't, so it's Schiaparelli that's getting all the press.
  - baq 10y ago
    i think it's more of a case of 'good news is no news' - failures are naturally more interesting than just saying that everything went according to the plan and we only have a few pics to show for it.
    - estel 10y ago
      Whilst that's true, the popular coverage before the landing (judged entirely from the BBC News home page) focused exclusively on the lander attempt rather than the orbiter.
      - lmm 10y ago
        BBC will focus particularly on the lander because it's the direct followup to the British Beagle 2.

kevinbowman 10y ago

Note that the lander is Schiaparelli, TGO (Trace Gas Orbiter) is just the "mothership" which it uplinks to; TGO achieving orbit, though, is still a special achievement.

david-given 10y ago
TGO is the actual mission. The lander's just a technology demo --- important for the next ExoMars mission rover, but it was only going to last a few days anyway. Schiaparelli being lost is a 'well, go figure' moment; TGO being lost is an utter disaster. Unfortunately landers are sexy, while science-rich orbiting probes aren't, so it's Schiaparelli that's getting all the press.
- baq 10y ago
  i think it's more of a case of 'good news is no news' - failures are naturally more interesting than just saying that everything went according to the plan and we only have a few pics to show for it.
  - estel 10y ago
    Whilst that's true, the popular coverage before the landing (judged entirely from the BBC News home page) focused exclusively on the lander attempt rather than the orbiter.
    - lmm 10y ago
      BBC will focus particularly on the lander because it's the direct followup to the British Beagle 2.